HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-10-01, Page 5• uinion
Teaching body checkin ; in stat ; es
is a gooa coin
Dear editor,
Once again, the hockey season is quickly
falling upon us. As parents of minor hockey
participants, there have been many issues
to contemplate in the recent past from how
to manage escalating registration and
equipment costs to the rules of the game.
Recently I was listening to a professor of
physical education from Laval University in
Montreal discussing the issue of body con-
tact in Pee Wee hockey. The university con-
ducted a study which was initially initiated
by arena managers in Quebec due to con-
cerns they had regarding minor hockey. The
concerns involved negative changes in the
game which are resulting in a reduction m
registration to as much as 30 per cent in
some areas.
The study involved minor hockey but
specifically Pee Wee age (12-13) players.
The findings were as follows:
1. In a survey of triple 'A' and double 'A'
teams with body contact, it was found that
one fracture occurred every eight games'
played. (Fracture referc to broken elavical,'
a
romise or minor
LFTT RR
wrist, ankle or damaged knee.)
2. In a survey of double 'C' teams with body
contact, it was found that one fracture oc-
curred every 22 games played.
3. In a survey of a league with nu, body con-
tact, it was found that one finger fracture
occurred in 230 games played.
The study also investigated the growth
rate of boys ages 12-14 years of age. It was
found that the fastest average growth spurt
occurred during this age group. Specifical-
ly, they found that 13 year olds could be up to
100 pounds heavier than 12 year olds. They
discovered that although the bone growth
was somewhat similar in this age range the
12 year olds lagged behind in muscle
development. Growth rates seem to be more
comparable at 14 years of age.
The difference in weight and size between
Participate in recreational
master plan and feasibility study
• from page 4
ty groups sponsor touring Canadian per-
formers and the touring talent available
ranges from rock bands to string quartets,
from ballet to fiddlers, from pop singers to
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Goderich Recreation Department is mak-
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for children's programs, but for some
reason has stopped there. Many teens and
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Ontour wants to keep the numbers grow-
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12 and 13 year olds was seen to contribute to
injuries when body contact was allowed. In-
juries occurred because the muscle develop-
ment was not advanced enough to protect
the bone structure especially the collar
bone.
It is obvious that hockey is a body contact
sport. The question has always been when is
the best time to implement NKly contact.
Some believe that body contact should begin
in Novice while others would prefer a total
ban of body contact in all minor hockey. I
believe there is &compromise which is more
positive than the present system.
The recommendations of the report were
that body contact in Pee Wee hockey be
eliminated as it has been in Quebec and at
least one Maritime province. The report
recommends that body checking be taught
in stages. Apparently body checking is a
fairly basic skill to learn. Therefore, they
suggest teaching the blocking check at
Atom age (10 and 11) , the hip check (which
is basically defensive) at Pee Wee age (12
and 13), and the shoulder check at Bantam
age (14 and 15) at which time body checking
would be allowed.
The reason for this body checking should
be taught in stages but only fully im-
plemented in games when the growth rate of
boys is compatible with body checking. I
would further suggest that since the majori-
ty of boys are not headed for the NHL that
perhaps a no body contact league be
established for 'B' teams and house league
teams whose primary purpose is for the
boys to have fun.
These thoughts are offered to stimulate
discussion among.parents, minor hockey of-
ficials, coaches, arena managers and
players. We as a community are responsible
and have a duty to provide a safe and
healthy environment for children to reach
their potential. One last thought - "Success
is not being the best, success is doing your
best".
Sincerely,
Mike Cicchini
Goderich, Ontario
GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESIJ Y, UcTOBER 1, 1986—PAGE 5
1)e(oratIv('
A((es trIt ti
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